I've actually flown from Newcastle to Manchetser before in a Jetstream where all cabin luggage was put in a box at the b ack of the cabin.

As for OP's request, best thing is for them to look in the Northern Echo / Newcastle Journal / Evening Chronicle / local free newspaper for airport transfer services that cover the Spennymoor area or get the Transpennine Express train from the airport & have the GP's arrange a taxi from Durham.